Apparatus for braking and holding cigarettes or the like

ABSTRACT

Cigarettes, filter rods, cigars, tobacco ropes or like rodshaped bodies are decelerated and/or held against movement with reference to one or more supporting surfaces by electrostatic forces. Such forces are produced (a) by applying to the bodies an electrostatic charge of a given sign and thereupon placing the thus charged bodies into an electrostatic field produced by a charge of the same sign so that the field repels the bodies and presses them against a supporting surface, (b) by placing the bodies in contact with pairs of electrodes which are connected to different poles of an energy source so that the electrodes attract the bodies. The bodies may be braked while they travel axially, or such bodies may be held by electrostatic forces during lengthwise travel, during sidewise travel, or during a change in orientation.

United States Patent 1111 m Inventor Ulrichllm demaed 3,408,986 ll/l968 Walsh 311/3 hteoillamburg,Germany(bylsleRiegger, 3,421.050 l2/I969 Topper 317/3 mummmnburgfiermny 3,496,4l3 2/1970 Goodridge... 311/3 21 ApplNo. 750.38! 2,761,548 9/1956 Long l9B/I76 Fded PrimaryExaminer-Richard E.Aegerter [451 Anom MichaelS Striker 131 Assignee Ihunt-WerkeKorberIrCmKG.

llunburg-Bergedorl, Germany 32 Priority Mar-.1196? 1331 GreatBritain [54] APPARATUS FOR BRAKING AND HOLDING ABSTRACT: Cigarettes, filter rods, cigars, tobacco ropes or like rod-shaped bodies are decelerated and/or held against movement with reference to one or more supporting surfaces by electrostatic forces. Such forces are produced (a) by apply ing to the bodies an electrostatic charge of a given sign and thereupon placing the thus charged bodies into an electrostatic field produced by a charge of the same sign so that the field repels the bodies and presses them against a supporting surface, (b) by placing the bodies in contact with pairs of electrodes which are connected to different poles of an energy source so that the electrodes attract the bodies. The bodies may be braked while they travel axially, or such bodies may be held by electrostatic forces during lengthwise travel, during sidewise travel, or during a change in orientation.

PATENIH] JUL 1 a nan SHEEI 3 UF 4 APPARATUS FOR BRAKING AND HOLDING CIGARETTE-3 OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for manipulating strands or ropes of shredded tobacco, cigarettes, filter rods, filter rod sections, cigars, cigarillos or analogous rodlike bodies. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for controlling movements of and/or for holding rodlike bodies which contain tobacco or which can be combined with tobacco-containing bodies to form smokers products. Still more particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for electrostatically controlling and/or preventing movements of cigarettes, filters, tobacco ropes or analogous bodies.

Cigarettes which are fed into flutes or channels provided in transporting drums or other types of conveyors are normally retained by suction and/or by shields or other types of mechanical retaining means. As a rule, the flutes or channels of a cigarette-transporting conveyor are provided with suction ports which can be connected to a suction generating device to attract cigarettes against the adjoining surfaces and to thereby decelerate the cigarettes and/or hold them against any movement with reference to the conveyor. A drawback of such conveyors is that suction cannot be increased at will because the outlines of suction ports will be permanently impressed into cigarette paper if the suction exceeds a certain value. Moreover, suction acts solely or mainly upon the wrapper ofa cigarette but is incapable of preventing escape of shreds at the ends of wrappers, especially if a cigarette travels axially and is subjected to a sudden braking action. Conveyors which brake and/or hold cigarettes or tobacco ropes by suction are expensive because the ports must be connected with the suction generating means by channels which should be properly sealed from the atmosphere to prevent leakage of air.

U.S. Pat. No. l,977,99l discloses an electric tobacco: feed wherein a tobacco-conveying drum is connected to one, pole of an energy source to electrostatically charge its tobacco-supporting surface. Such apparatus failed to gain acceptance in the industry because the charges of tobacco particles are polarized and change their signs during neutralization (deelcctrifying) so that the particles are suddenly repelled from the supporting surface.

US. Pat. No. 3,0l6,904 discloses an apparatus for accelerating shreds in a tobacco stream and for controlling the density of the stream by electrostatic means. Particles of tobacco in the stream are caused to travel toward the underside of and to adhere to a travelling belt which is connected to one pole of an energy source. The efficiency of such apparatus is very low and the apparatus cannot be used to brake and/or to hold cigarettes or like bodies against uncontrolled movement.

SUM MARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus for holding and/or braking cigarettes, filter rods, cigars, tobacco ropes or like rod-shaped bodies by electrostatic means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein rodlike bodies may be decelerated and/or held against uncontrolled movement by contact with electrodes which are connected to the same pole or to different poles of a source of electrical energy.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide an apparatus which can be employed for decelerating, holding, transporting and/or changing the orientation of rodlike bodies which contain tobacco shreds and/or filter material.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be employed in connection with manipulation of cigarettes or other rodlike bodies wherein a tubular wrapper surrounds a filter of particulate material and wherein the bodies can be manipulated in such a way that the particles of the fillers are positively held against escape at the ends of wrappers.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, inexpensive, adjustable and versatile apparatus which can be utilized to control and/or prevent movements of rodlike bodies by electrostatic means.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which can be combined with or built into existing tobacco processing or filter making machines.

The apparatus of the present invention is employed for braking and/or holding cigarettes, tobacco ropes or analogous rod-shaped bodies and comprises means for subjecting the bodies to the action of electrostatic braking or holding forces.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view of an apparatus which embodies one form of the invention and wherein the electrode assembly is installed in a pneumatic conveyor to brake cigarettes or rod-shaped bodies which travel lengthwise;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line II-ll of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line Ill-Ill of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view of a second apparatus. wherein the pneumatic conveyor embodies a difierent system of electrodes;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section as seen in the direction of arrows from the line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third apparatus which is utilized for braking of cigarettes and for thereupon holding the cigarettes while they travel sideways from the outlet end of a rod cigarette machine to a receiving conveyor;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view of a suction drum in the apparatus of FIG. 6, substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line Vll-Vll of FIG. 6',

FIG. 8 is a similar fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view ofa modified suction drum;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective sectional view of a further apparatus which is utilized to hold rod-shaped articles during inversion while the articles travel with a drum-shaped conveyor;

FIG. I0 is a sectional view of a detail in the apparatus of FIG. 9;

FIG. II is a schematic side elevational view of a rod cigarette machine wherein the apparatus of the present invention is used to hold a rope ofshredded tobacco in the groove of a rotary wheel;

FIG. I2 is a larger scale sectional view of the WhCIl8S seen in the direction of arrows from the line XII-Xll of FIG. ll; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view as seen in the direction of arrows from the line XIII-XIII ofFIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first toFlGS. l to 3, there is shown a pneumatic conveyor tube 1 of insulating material having an internal diameter which exceeds somewhat the diameter ofa cigarette 2. The tube I defines a brake path A in which the cigarette 24's deceleratedariuaught to a complete halt. An electrode as sembly is mmbinmlwith the Label and includesa fiFillfiIfiC- trode composed of a set of radially inwardly extending current-conducting elastic wires 3 connected to a ring-shapcd conductor 4. The conductor 4 is connected to the pole 6 of a condenser 7 or a like source of high static dirccbcurrent voltage potential. The pole 6 is further connected with the terminal 8 of a trough-shaped second electrode 9 which consists of sheet metal and whose configuration conforms to that of the tube I. The electrode 9 forms a portion of the tube, see FIG. 3, and is located downstream of the wires 3, as con sidcred in the direction of cigarette travel.

The operation is as follows:

The cigarette 2 is fed lengthwise in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, and its wrapper slides along the inner end portions of wires 3 to receive an electrostatic charge. The charge applied to the electrode 9 has the same sign as the charge applied to the cigarette 2. Therefore, when the cigarette reaches the electrode 9, the field produced by the charge applied to the electrode 9 tends to repel the wrapper in a direction at right angles to the axis of the tube and urges the wrapper into frictional engagement with the internal surface of the tube 1 opposite the electrode 9. This internal surface is a braking or supporting surface and it extends across the direction in which the electrode 9 tends to repel the cigarette. Friction between the tube 1 and cigarette 2 increases suddenly when the cigarette reaches the electrode 9, and such friction suffices to brake the cigarette, i.e., to dcceleratc the cigarette or to bring it to a complete stop. The other pole of the source 7 is grounded, see FIG. 1. In this embodiment ofthe invention, the two electrodes are connected to the same pole of the ener gy source and the braking action is due to the tendency of the electrode 9 to repel the wrapper which is charged during travel along the wires 3.

FIGS. 4 and illustrate a second apparatus which comprises a pneumatic conveyor tube H having an internal diameter slightly exceeding the diameter of a cigarette 12. The tube 11 defines a brake path 8 and a portion thereof consists of two trough-shaped electrodes l6, l7 electrically separated from each other by two strip-shaped insulators X3, 14 best shown in FIG. 5. The electrodes l6, l7 consist of sheet metal and have terminals l8, l9 connected to the poles 22, 21 of a source 23 of high static direct current voltage potential. The surfaces of the electrodes l6, 17 are provided with films or coats of insulating material. For example, these electrodes may consist of aluminum sheet stock whose surfaces are anodized or of other metallic sheet material having surfaces coated with layers of varnish or enamel. The lower portions of the electrodes l6, 17 are slightly out of round to provide two substantially flat or flattened internal supporting surfaces located opposite each other and engaging the wrapper of the cigarette 12.

When the cigarette l2 enters the brake path B, its wrapper engages the flattened internal surfaces of insulating layers on the electrodes l6, 17 which are connected to the poles 22, 2] of the energy source 23. Since the conductivity of the cigarette is rather low, a very small current flows between the electrodes, for example, a current in the order of a few rnicroamperes. Also, and since the wrapper of the cigarette 12 is not perfectly smooth, it is in a mere multipoint contact with the electrodes l6, 17. The electric lines of force extend between such contact points. An electrostatic field of very high strength develops in the thin layer of air between the external surface of the wrapper and the internal surfaces of the electrodes, and such field produces a strong electrostatic force which attracts the wrapper toward the electrodes.

In this embodiment of the invention, the wrapper of the cigarette 12 is in simultaneous contact with the surfaces of two electrodes which are connected to different poles of the energy source. The braking and/or holding action is due to attrac tion between the wrapper and the electrodes. Means may be provided for intermittently reversing the connections between the poles 22, 21 and electrodes 16, H. The cigarette may be decelerated to such an extent that it comes to a full stop at a predetermined distance from the electrodes [6, 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a portion of a conveyor system which receives a succession of cigarettes front a feed including the endless takeoff belt 26 of a rod cigarette machine and serves to array such cigarettes in two files or rows in which the cigarettes travel sideways. The discharge end of the upper stretch ofthe belt 26 is adjacent to a bridge or platform 27 located below an ceccntrically mounted accelerating roll 28 which forms part ofthe feed and is driven in a counterclockwise direction to propel successive ly furnished cigarettes 32 into successive axially parallel peripheral pockets or flutes 3! of a suction conveyor drum 29 which rotates in a counterclockwise direction (arrow 25). In this way, the cigarettes are spaced apart sufficiently to insure that each thereof enters a different flute 3|. Suction ports 30 in the flutes 3| are connected to a fan or another suitable suction-generating device doling travel of the respective flutes from the bridge 27 toward a receiving conveyor belt 34 which receives two rows of cigarettes from the drum 29. Each second flute 3] accommodates a centrally located stop 33 which serves as an abutment for cigarettes 32 and insures that the cigarettes of the left-hand row (as viewed in FIG. 6) are properly aligned during travel with the suction drum 29, The suction ports 30 are connected with suction channels 36 (FIG. 7) which, in turn, can be connected with the aforerrientionctl suction-generating device by way of a suction duct 61. The flutes 31 are flanked by pairs of electrodes 37, 38 here shown as walls or rails made of aluminum and having surfaces which are anodized. The electrodes or walls 37, 38 are electrically separated from the drum 3] by insulators 39, 41. That axial end of the drum 29 which is remote from the bridge 27 is provided with two conductors in the form of slip rings 47, 48 which respectively comprise individual segments 44, 46 elec tiically separated from each other by insulators 42, 43. The slip rings 47, 48 are electrically separated from each other by an insulating ring 49v The slip ring 48 is further insulated from the drum 29. The walls 37 are connected with the segments 44 and the walls 38 are connected with the segments 46. The slip ring 47 is in contact with brushes 5! and the slip ring 48 is contacted by brushes 52. The brushes 5] are connected to a first stationary contact ring 53 and the brushes 52 are connected to a second stationary contact ring 54. As shown in FIG. 6, the brushes 51, 52 extend along a path C which is adjacent to the periphery of the drum 29 and extends between the bridge 27 and belt 34. The contact rings 53, 54 comprise pairs of arcuate sections separated from each other by insulators 57a, 57b and 58a, 58b. One section of each contact ring extends along the path C and the other section of each contact ring extends along a path D. The spacing between the insulators 57a, 57b and 58a, 58b is slightly greater than the peripheral length of the segments 44 and 46. Those sections of contact rings 53 and 54 which extend along the path C are connected to the poles of a source 64 of high-voltage static direct-current voltage potential by conductors 62 and 63. The other sections of contact rings 53 and 54 which extend along the path D are connected with the ground as at 60. The suction channels 36 can be connected with the suction-generating device (duct 6!) by way of a stationary valve member 66 which is installed in the drum Z9 and connects the ports 30 with the duct 61 while the ports travel along the path C. The ports are sealed from the duct 6|, and hence from the suction generating device, when they travel along the path D.

The operation is as follows:

The belt 26 feeds a row of closely adjacent cigarettes 32 which are accelerated by the roll 28 and are propelled into successive flutes 3] of the drum 29. Since the walls 37, 38 are connected to different poles of the energy source 64, the cigarettes are subjected to strong electrostatic braking forces during travel along the path C and during transfer from the bridge 27 onto the belt 34. The electrical connection between the energy source 64 and those walls 37, 38 which flank the flutes 3| in the region between the bridge 27 and belt 34 includes the conductors 62, 63, contact rings 53, 54, brushes 5], 52 and segments 44, 46. When the cigarettes 32 approach the belt 34, the respective walls 37, 38 are connected with the ground 60 after having passed the insulators 58a, 58]) so that the load previously applied to the cigarettes is neutralized and the cigarettes can drop onto the belt 34. The thus evacuated flutes 3] travel along the path D and the respective walls 37, 38 are again connected with the conductors 62, 63 after having passed the insulators 57a, 57!: so that they can brake and retain cigarettes 32 supplied by the accelerating roll 28. The connection between the walls 37, 38 and energy source 64 is established shortly before the respective flutes 31 return into registry with the bridge 27.

It is clear that the cigarettes 32 can be braked and retained by electrostatic forces alone. If the applied voltage is high, the brake paths for cigarettes in the flutes 31 are very short. Such brake 'paths can be shortened still further if the electrostatic braking forces are combined with suction. Furthermore, and since the electrostatic forces are not effective only upon cigarette paper (wrappers of cigarettes 32) but also on the particles of fillers in such wrappers, the electrostatic forces can effectively prevent escape of tobacco particles at the ends of wrappers in the flutes 31.

As clearly shown in FIG. 7, the distance between the walls 37, 38 in the flutes 31 decreases in a direction toward the axis of the drum 29. Therefore, the strength of the electrostatic field between the walls is greater in the dcepmost zones of the flutes 3] and such field holds the cigarettes against ejection by centrifugal forces.

In FIG. 8, the flutes 231 of the suction drum 229 are flanked by concave electrodes or walls 27], 272 which are separated from each other by insulators 273. lnsulators 270 separate the walls 271, 272 from the drum 229. The latter is provided with suction channels 236 and the walls 271, 272 are respectively connected with segments 244, 246. The drum 229 operates in the same way as the drum 29 of FIGS 6 and 7.

F168. 9 and I0 illustrate a trough-shaped receptacle 75 mounted on an inverting conveyor drum 76 which serves to turn cigarettes 74 by 180". One end portion of the receptacle 75 is affixed to a holder 77 having an annular peripheral groove 78 which receives a retaining member 79 fixed to the periphery of the drum 76. The internal surface bounding the channel in the receptacle 75 is coated with a layer of insulating material. Another coat 85 of insulating material is applied to the top face ofthc holder 77, and the lower or inner end of the holder 77 is rigid with a bevel gear 82 which meshes with a toothed gear segment 83 affixed to one end of a shaft 84 mounted in bearings 80, 81 provided in the interior of the drum 76. The other end of the shaft 84 carries an arm 86 for a roller follower 87 which extends into an endless groove 89 machined into a stationary cam 88 which is adjacent to one axial end of the drum 76. The drum 76 carries several receptacles 75 which can be distributed in a manner as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,2l5,250 to Schubert. The purpose ofthe drum is to invert cigarettes, particularly filter cigarettes, so that their filter tips face in a predetermined direction. In the apparatus which is disclosed in the patent to Schubert, cigarettes admitted into the turnable receptacles are held by suction. In accordance with the present invention, the cigarettes 74 are retained by electrostatic forces in that the receptacle 75 comprises two metallic sections or electrodes 75a, 75b separated from each other by an insulator 91. The electrodes 75a, 75b are connected with conductors 92, 93 which extend through a hollow shaft 96 fixed to the bevel gear 82 and rotatable in a bearing 94 mounted in the drum 76. The shaft 96 is provided with slip rings 97, 98 which are engaged by brushes 101, 102 and these brushes are connected with conductors 103, 104. The conductors 103, 104 extend through a bore 106 of the drum 76 and carry a second pair of brushes 107, I08 engaging with stationary slip rings 109, III which are electrically insulated from each other. Those portions of slip rings 109, 11] which extend along an inverting path E are connected to different poles of a source of highstatic direct-current voltage potentials Those portions of slip rings 109, 111 which extend along a transfer zone F are connectcd with the ground, as at 114.

As stated before, the drum 76 carries a series of receptacles 75 each of which can be connected with the energy source in the same way as shown for the receptacle 75 of FIG. 9. The receptacles 75 receive cigarettes from a feed conveyor (e.g., a drum, not shown) at a point located upstream of the inverting path E, i.e., while the respective brushes 107, 108 travel in the transfer zone F. During travel along the path E, the cigarettes are held in the respective receptacles by electrostatic forces because the electrodes 75a, 75b are then connected with the energy source by way of conductors 92, 93, slip rings 97, 98, brushes I01, 102, conductors 103, 104, brushes 107, 108 and slip rings 109, 111. The roller follower 87 of each successive shaft 84 is guided in the groove 89 ofthc cam 88 in such a way that the gear segment 83 rotates the bevel gear 82 and hence the receptacle 75 through 180 during travel of such receptacle along the path E. The electrostatic forces oppose centrifugal forces which tend to eject cigarettes 74 from the receptacles 75 due to rotation of the drum 76 and also due to rotation of receptacles about the axes of the respective shafts 96. When the brushes 107, 108 move beyond the path E, the electrodes 75a, 75b of the respective receptacles 75 are connected with the ground (114) and the inverted cigarettes 74 can be readily transferred onto a belt or into the flutes of a receiving drum, not shown. H6. 9 shows a cigarette 74 during inversion in a position in which its axis is substantially normal to the axis of the drum 76.

Electrostatic forces which are applied to hold the cigarettes 74 in receptacles 75 cause the wrappers to adhere to electrodes 75a, 75b and such forces also prevent escape oftobacco particles at the ends of wrappers.

The apparatus of FIGS. 9 and 10 is analogous to the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7 with the exception that the cigarettes 74 travel about the axis of the drum 76 and simultaneously turn about the axes of shafts 96.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portion of a rod cigarette machine which comprises a conveyor wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis and having a peripheral groove [28 (FIG. 12) which receives a tobacco rope 121 from the upper run of an endless feed belt 122 to advance the rope past a trimming device 127 which removes the surplus so that the remainder of the rope forms a filler rod of constant cross section which is ready to be wrapped into cigarette paper P during travel with the upper run of a belt 1220. The zone where the groove 128 of the wheel 120 receives tobacco from the feed belt 122 is designated by the character G and the zone where the tiller rod leaves the groove 128 is designated by the character H. A transfer device 123 including a bridge 124 and an endless compressing belt 126 is provided in the zone H to deliver the filler rod to the upper run of the belt 1220. The bridge 124 also serves as a scraper to remove tobacco particles from the groove 128.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the groove 128 in the wheel 120 is provided between two annuli of metallic electrodes or walls [320, 1321) which are provided with coats 1310, 131b of insulating material. The walls [320 are electrically separated from each other by insulators 1300. Similar insulators separate the walls l32b from each other. Insulators 133a, 1331: are located between the walls 132a, l32b and the flanges 134a, 1341: of the wheel 120, A ring 133a of insulating material separates the walls 132a, 1321') from each other and from the central portion or core 135 of the wheel 120. Conductors 1360, 136b which are insulated from the core 135 connect the walls 132a, 1321; with brushes 137a, [37b which travel along slip rings 138a, 1381) are insulated from a hollow stationary shaft 140 for the wheel 120 by annular insulators 139a, 1391: The wheel 120 rotates on antifriction bearings 141a, 141b, 1410, [41d and has a gear 147 meshing with a driver gear 146. The slip rings 138a, 1381: are connected with conductors 143a, 1431; which extend through the internal chamber 142 of the shaft 140 and are connected to the poles of a source 144 of high-static direct-current voltage potential. Each slip ring 138a, 138!) has two arcuate sections which are separated from each other by insulators 145. One section of each slip ring is connected with the respective pole of the source 14d and the other section is connected with a conductor 151 which is grounded, as at 152. The zone along which the slip rings 138a, 1381) are connected with the source 144 is indicated in FIG. 1] at K. The zone in which the slip rings are grounded is shown at L. Screws 148a, l48b or analogous fasteners consisting of insulating material are used to secure the electrodes or walls 1320, 132b to the flanges 134a, 134i). The flanges 134a, [34b are connected to the core 135 by screws [4911, ]49b.

The machine of FIGS. 11 to 13 is operated as follows:

The tobacco rope i2] is advanced by the feed belt 1.22 toward the zone G where it enters the groove 128 ofthe wheei I to be advanced past the trimming device 127 and into the zone H in order to be transferred onto the belt 122a, i.c., onto the paper strip P which is fed upwardly between the bridge 124 and the left-hand end of the belt 122a. When a pair ofop posed walls 132a, I32!) approaches the A0118 G, they are corinected with the poles of the energy source I44 in a manner as described in connection with FIGS 12 and 13 so that they attract the adjoining increment of the rope 121 during travel along the zone K. When they reach the zone H, the walls 1320, 132b are disconnected from the source 144 and are connected to ground 152 so that they permit. transfer of tobacco onto the belt [220. The walls 132a, l32b remain disconnected from the source 144 during travel along the zone L.

The energy requirements of the electrostatic means which holds the strand [2] during travel with the wheel 120 are a small fraction of energy requirements of conventional systems which hold the rope by suction. Furthermore, and particularly when the apparatus of the invention is employed to brake, invert and/or hold cigarettes, the wrappers are not subjected to any deforming stresses and the electrostatic forces prevent escape oftobacco particles at the ends of wrappers.

Unless otherwise stated, the term braking utilized in the following claims is intended to embrace reducing the speed of travelling rodlike bodies from a higher speed to a lesser speed or to zero speed, as well as holding the bodies against undesired movement with reference to one or more supporting surfaces.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fuily reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of the above outlined contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence ofthe claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source ofhigh-voltage potential; a pair ofelectrically separated electrodes defining therebetwccn a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes, conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; and conveyor means for supplying elongated bodies into said space, said conveyor means comprising a pneumatic conveyor.

27 Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source of high-voltage potential; a pair of electrically separated electrodes defining thcrcbetween a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes, said support means comprising a rotary conveyor; conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; and conveyor means for supsplying elongated bodies into said space. A

. pparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said space is a flute which is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary conveyor.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said space is an endless groove extending circumfcrentially of said rotary conveyor.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless belt.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said conductor means is arranged to connect said electrodes to the respective poles of said source at teast during entry of a body into said space, said conductor means comprising first conductor means mounted on said rotary conveyor and connected with said electrodes and second conductor means connected with said source and adjacent to the path of movement of said first conductor means to connect said first conductor means with said source at least during a portion of each revolution of said rotary conveyor.

7. Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source of high-voltage potential; a pair of electrically separated electrodes defining therebetween a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes; conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; conveyor means for supplying elongated bodies into said space; and suction operated means arranged to attract the bodies to said electrodes to thus assist said holding action. 

1. Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source of high-voltage potential; a pair of electrically separated electrodes defining therebetween a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes; conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; and conveyor means for supplying elongated bodies into said space, said conveyor means comprising a pneumatic conveyor.
 2. Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source of high-voltage potential; a pair of electrically separated electrodes defining therebetween a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes, said support means comprising a rotary conveyor; conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; and conveyor means for supplying elongated bodies into said space.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said space is a flute which is at least substantially parallel to the axis of said rotary conveyor.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said space is an endless groove extending circumferentially of said rotary conveyor.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless belt.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said conductor means is arranged to connect said electrodes to the respective poles of said source at least during entry of a body into said space, said conductor means comprising first conductor means mounted on said rotary conveyor and connected with said electrodes and second conductor means connected with said source and adjaceNt to the path of movement of said first conductor means to connect said first conductor means with said source at least during a portion of each revolution of said rotary conveyor.
 7. Apparatus for holding rodlike elongated bodies in machines for the processing of tobacco and related products, comprising a source of high-voltage potential; a pair of electrically separated electrodes defining therebetween a space for reception of elongated bodies which, when received in said space, contact each of said electrodes; support means for said electrodes; conductor means for at least temporarily connecting said electrodes with different poles of said source so as to produce in said space an electrostatic field which exerts upon elongated bodies in said space a holding force; conveyor means for supplying elongated bodies into said space; and suction-operated means arranged to attract the bodies to said electrodes to thus assist said holding action. 